FOR a country that has at times found itself more concerned about regional security than its larger neighbours, Singapore can be satisfied with the outcome of the recent meeting of foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its dialogue partners.
It was fitting that Singapore should be the host for this meeting, where the need for regional security was acknowledged not only by the six members of ASEAN and the seven dialogue partners, but also by China and Russia, who were invited to Singapore as guests of ASEAN.
Laos, Vietnam and Papua New Guinea were also there as observers.
Altogether, 17 Asia-Pacific countries and the European Community (EC) were represented at an informal dinner party, held between the 26th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM) and a series of post-ministerial conferences, which were seen as a rehearsal for the first ASEAN Regional Forum in Bangkok next year.
Singapore's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wong Kan Seng, said the participants had very constructive discussions.
''This historic occasion marks the first time that all the major players in the Asia Pacific have gathered together to discuss the future of our region,'' he said.
